The last group of Team Kenya leaves the country Tuesday evening for the Commonwealth Games that commence Thursday in Birmingham, England.
Ten athletes and seven officials will be leaving to join a team of over 100 athletes, who have arrived in Birmingham for the Games opening ceremony on Thursday.
The batch includes Commonwealth Games 5,000 metres bronze medallist Edward Zakayo, World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Amos Serem and hammer throwers Lucy Omondi and Linda Oseso.
Others joining are javelin thrower Alexander Kiprotich and 2017 World Cross Country champion Irene Cheptai (10,000m), national trials 5,000m winner Selah Jepleting, 400m hurdler William Mbevi and Cornelius Kemboi (5,000m).
“I settled for bronze in 2018 when I was still a junior, but I have drawn many lessons since then. I am ripe for the big stage, having overcome injury challenges,” said Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Edward Zakayo.
Teams that are already in Birmingham are hockey, lawn bowls, triathlon, judo, wheelchair basketball, 3×3 basketball, boxing, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, swimming, beach volleyball, para-athletics, athletics, para-powerlifting, cycling, para-cycling and rugby sevens.
According to Chef de mission John Ogolla, Team Kenya is residing in three villages; Birmingham University, Warwick and Hilton Hotel.
“We are very excited to receive our teams streaming into the various Games Villages,” said Ogolla.
“The logistical plans we put in place have worked very well so far.” He added.
Ogolla noted that most of the teams have already booked their training venues through the Training Booking System of the Games and are beginning to have a feel with very positive feedback
Team Kenya received a broad range of training and competition kit from sponsors, Nike, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani before departure.